Cuyahoga Fence - Cleveland's Reliable Commercial Fencing

The primary cause is our region’s clay-heavy soil combined with repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Water gets trapped under the post, freezes, expands, and pushes the post upward. At Cuyahoga Fence, we install posts with a wider, deeper footing that extends below the frost line (minimum 42 inches). In some cases, we also add gravel at the base for drainage. If a post has already heaved, we can reset it with a concrete collar and proper base gravel, even on existing fences.

Yes, it’s very common here due to the high moisture from Lake Erie and spring rains. Moisture gets trapped between the wood and the ground, causing rot. For new installations, we recommend cedar or a vinyl alternative, and we always use a pressure-treated bottom rail that’s raised slightly off the soil. For existing fences, if the rot is only at the base of a few pickets or posts, we can replace just those sections and install a rot-resistant kickboard. If the damage is widespread, a partial or full replacement might be more cost-effective.

For narrow or awkwardly shaped city lots—common around areas like Tremont or Detroit-Shoreway—a single swing gate or a sliding gate works best. We can also build a custom width gate that doesn’t waste space. If your posts are shifting due to frost, that can cause a gate to drag or not latch. We’ll check your post alignment first, then either re-set the posts or install a self-closing hinge that compensates for minor shifts. We also stock narrow-width aluminum and wood gates to fit standard city lot gaps.